While we are under the seat, check out the electrical installations! The neatness and attention to detail is something other motorcycle manufacturers could take a lesson from. All of the electrical components are neatly installed, wires properly tied back, and the components are labeled as to what they are! One does not need the service manual to figure out which relay is the turn signal relay, it is clearly marked on the frame of the bike. Another wonderful attention to detail is the use of special waterproof connectors on critical items such as the fuel injection unit. I was beginning to wonder how they can sell this bike for such a good price.

Here is another quick comparison to the Suzuki SV650 to show how Hyosung has done better. On both bikes, up front by the steering head, a wire bundle passes by the front fairing mount bracket. Suzuki has had problems and warranty claims due to this wiring bundle chafing on the fairing bracket, causing electrical shorts. Hyosung has wrapped the wiring bundle with aircraft-style wire harness braiding designed to prevent this kind of chafing. It is a nice thoughtful touch and an obvious lesson learned.

The Comet provides, however, a set of contrasts. After looking at that wonderful braided wire harness cover I discovered a very curious installation. Right behind the right foot peg, mounted in the exhaust pipe, is the Lambda sensor for the electronic fuel injection system. (This is also known as an Oxygen sensor.) There are two things wrong with this location, aside from the dubious aesthetics. First, I got a bit nervous about moving my right foot around for fear of knocking the sensor with my boot. Lambda sensors are usually not cheap. I finally got the courage to wiggle my foot around, trying to see if I could in fact hit the sensor. I could not. I asked a few people with larger feet to try, and none of them could, but the larger the feet, the closer they got. If you have big feet, be aware of the sensor location and be careful until you figure this one out. Second, the wires to the lambda sensor were intertwined with the wires and brake lines for the rear brake. This bike has adjustable rearsets, so it would be possible to unscrew the rearsets, pull them out to move them to a new position, and in the process tear the lambda sensor wires off the sensor. Again, be careful.

Did I mention that this bike has adjustable rearsets? For our newbies, the phrase “adjustable rearsets” means adjustable rider foot peg position. It is possible to remove two screws and move the foot pegs to a new position, and there are three possible positions. On the right side, the entire rear brake lever assembly moves with the foot peg, so it is a simple matter of removing two screws, moving the foot peg/brake lever assembly to a new position, and re-installing the screws. On the left side, the rod from the foot shifter to the transmission will have to be adjusted after moving the foot peg, but it is a trivial task requiring two 10mm wrenches.

The passenger foot pegs are not as impressive. They are typical sport bike knees-in-the-chin and flash-your-(ahem) position, and there does not seem to be much you can do about it. Ride solo. It's more fun anyway.

I have to mention this next one because, well, it just bugged me. This bike has some wonderful features, but the clutch cable holder down there on the crankcase is definitely not one of them. It looks like someone snuck out to an airfield and stole one of those soft metal aircraft wire bundle holders that one can easily bend with one's fingers, complete with the cheap soft shiny black plastic tip cover, and used it to hold the Hyosung's clutch cable in place. To be perfectly honest, a simple piece of aluminum with a hole for a plastic zip tie would be more structurally sound. Have your dealer design and install something a bit more substantial. A clutch cable is too important to risk having it come loose and flop around.

As mentioned above, the frame is constructed of oval cross-section tubes. The visual effect is similar to a Triumph Speed Triple, just not quite as fanciful and boisterous. The welds are not works of art like on a Ducati frame, but they are smoothed out, painted, and do not give a bad impression.